YNHHS’ 10 Days of Gratitude is under way!

Yale New Haven Health’s first-ever “10 Days of Gratitude” kicked off May 4, and there are lots of exciting events and activities scheduled. The celebration includes Nurses Week, May 6 - 12, Hospital Week, May 7 - 13, and YNHHS’ Week of Gratitude, previously held in March. 

The 10 days will feature health system-wide activities for all employees, such as leader rounding, webinars and daily inspirational screen savers. Each delivery network will also have its own activities, such as awards ceremonies, blessing of the hands and more. Check your employee intranet home page for details. 

During the 10 days, employees may choose a gift from several options that they can order online and have delivered to their homes. Watch for more communications about how to order.
YNHHS activities are listed below. See the employee intranet for livestream links to webinars, which will also be recorded and available on the THRIVE page of the employee intranet.

• Webinar: Thursday, May 4, 12:30 - 1 pm: “The Power of Gratitude.” Why practicing gratitude matters and its link to well-being. Simple gratitude practices to try daily. 
• Wellness challenge: Friday, May 5: “Give Yourself a Break.” Simple practices to pause and relax and make relaxation and gratitude a routine. 
• Wellness challenge: Saturday, May 6: “Have fun and make yourself laugh!” Find ways to increase your joy at home and work. 
• Wellness challenge: Sunday, May 7: “What really matters to you?” Get in touch with purpose and meaning in your life.
• Webinar: Monday, May 8, 4 - 4:30 pm: “Cultivate Positive Feelings and Cope with Negative Ones.” Acknowledge and allow your feelings vs. trying to ignore or avoid them. Regulate and express your emotions and develop a positive view of self/others. Includes information on the Peer Support Network and Employee and Family Resources Center. 
• Webinar: Tuesday, May 9, 10 - 11 am: “Becoming a Better You.” Livestreamed or in-person at Greenwich Hospital Noble Conference Room. Chad Porter was a successful student, athlete, and president of his 9th-grade class when he lost part of his left leg in a boating accident. Now an inspirational speaker and coach, Porter will motivate us as we move forward from COVID-19. He’ll focus on the attitude needed as we transition from behind the mask while recognizing and accepting that it was one of the most challenging times in history to be a healthcare provider. 
• Wellness challenge: Tuesday, May 9: “Connect with and Support Others.” The importance of supportive relationships, especially at work. 
• Wednesday, May 10: Thanks to a donation from our community partners, employees may enjoy one free meal (a value up to $10) in one of the hospital cafeterias. Managers will distribute the vouchers.  
• Webinar: Wednesday, May 10, 12:30 - 1 pm: “Self Compassion: Ways to be Kind to Yourself and Be Your Inner Coach Instead of Inner Critic.” 
• Webinar: Thursday, May 11, 12:30 - 1 pm: “Plan Three Bright Spots in Your Day!” Overcome the negativity bias and use the ‘Three Good Things’ practice to end your day.  
• Wellness challenge: Friday, May 12: “The Upside of Stress.” Change your beliefs and attitudes about stress and learn ways to get better at it.  
• Webinar: Friday, May 12, noon - 1 pm: “Building a Resilient Mindset.” Livestreamed or in-person at Bridgeport Hospital Hollander Auditorium. Dr. Brigadier Gen.(Ret.) Stephen N. Xenakis, MD, and Matt DeBernardis, resilience coach at Silver Hill Hospital will help you gain awareness of your thoughts, emotions and behaviors; identify patterns in your thinking and determine what’s helpful and harmful; and find ways to interpret events in a more effective way. This webinar will also help you understand self-care challenges and how to overcome them, and find different self-care routines. Sponsored by the Bridgeport Hospital Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Council.
• Wellness challenge: Saturday, May 13: “Take care of YOU, you deserve it!” Ways to improve exercise, nutrition and sleep.